Sylvia Calatayud
M.Ed, Professional Art Therapist, Trauma Informed-Expressive Art Therapist (in progress), Certified Interpreter
6 years’ experience
Specialisations
Working with people of diverse cultural backgrounds
Educator
Researcher
Participatory photography trainer
Children
Clinical approaches
Cultural humility and cultural informed; trauma-informed expressive art therapy; photo art therapy; mindfulness and breathing techniques; somatic art therapy.
Sylvia is a graduate of the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute and is on her path to get her certification as a Trauma-Informed Expressive Art Therapist.
She has been practicing art therapy since 2014 and is a Professional member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association. Sylvia has a Master’s degree in Adult Education, is a professor at Mount Saint Vincent University, and works in the settlement and immigration sector.
Sylvia facilitates workshops on Cultural Humility, Diversity and Inclusion, Addressing Unconscious Bias, and Participatory Photography to community and service organisations and research projects. She does collaborative research using arts-based research methodology.
Sylvia lives and works in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she offers art therapy sessions online and in person. She has a private practice and offers group sessions with community organisations. She has extensive experience working with immigrants and refugees, women, seniors, children, and people with different abilities.
In her art therapy practice, Sylvia uses Cultural Humility and a culturally informed framework, a feminist lens, and a client-centred approach. She uses a mind-and-body approach using breathing and mindful techniques, body movement, art-making and photography to support the wellness of mind and body, resilience, trauma, and grief.
Sylvia’s goal is to provide a safe space where people can explore their experiences, connect with their feelings and emotions, find strategies using inner strength, community, and family support. She focusses on people’s strengths to create therapeutic strategies and their well-being goals. Sylvia offers services to individuals, families, dyads, and groups.